Rewriting Power: Storytelling, Language, and Gender Equity
Storytelling is everywhere in our sector — but rarely do we ask how it reinforces power. Who gets to tell the story? Whose voices are centered? And what language quietly upholds the very systems we claim to dismantle? From commonly used terms like “empower,” “Global South,” or “people of color,” to the narratives used in philanthropy and fundraising, language carries weight — shaping perceptions, relationships, and systems of power.
This interactive session will explore how storytelling can be reclaimed as a tool for justice, dignity, and equity. Together, we’ll engage in a live storytelling audit, analyze language in real time, and practice rewriting micro-narratives to better reflect truth and inclusion.
Speakers
Ashantha Rubera — Program Officer at Alabaster International, supporting programs in development and community impact.
Babita Patel — Independent Communications Consultant, storyteller, and humanitarian photographer; Founder of KIOO Project advancing gender equality through the arts.
Maame Afon Yelbert-Sai — Chief Steward & Team Lead at MILT LLC and The AfriWomen Network, leading transformational initiatives for women and leadership.
Maria Omare — Founder & Executive Director of The Action Foundation, advancing disability and gender inclusion in Africa for 15+ years.
What to Expect
Interrogate language – Unpack how words and frames can reinforce or dismantle systemic inequities.
Center recipient voices – Explore how to involve those most affected in shaping the narratives about them.
Blend story and strategy – Learn from movements, media, and philanthropy about reclaiming narrative power.
Practice rewriting power – Participate in a live storytelling exercise to shift frames and reimagine language for equity.
Why Join?
Understand how language and storytelling shape systems of power.
Gain tools for auditing and shifting the narratives in your own work.
Share and learn strategies for centering justice, dignity, and inclusion in communication.
Walk away with practical skills to reframe narratives in gender equity, philanthropy, and development.
Who Should Attend?
Gender equity and human rights advocates.
Funders and philanthropists reflecting on narrative and power in giving.
Communicators, researchers, and storytellers in social impact spaces.
Anyone committed to transforming how stories are told, and who gets to tell them.